Thursday, July 8, 2010

Attila The Mom has an update on Big Kid's health. Please stop by and cheer them on. Click HERE.

The first time Godson and I flew from California to Ohio to visit my family he was six years old. He'd never met my family before but knew all about them and had seen countless pictures over the years. My family was also well aware of Godson and already had quite a collection of photos featuring him attached to their refrigerators with magnets. That first trip was six summers ago.

He was a champ on the plane, that first time, and kept sorting through the stack of photos I'd brought to help remind him of everyone's name in our very large family. Upon arrival in Cleveland, the "welcome committee" greeted us at baggage claim and he immediately got VERY shy....

....For about 30 minutes-- Then he was part of the tribe and laughing and playing with my nieces and nephews as if they'd always known each other.

That first trip to Ohio was a real eye-opener for my little City-Slicker. My sisters have horses and that means horse poop and all things that go with a farm-- Dirt, ducks, goats, chickens, pigs, even a peacock, plus lots and lots of work. It was a little mind boggling for him at first.

Back home, the rule is, if you want to ride the horse, you have to help clean the stall before you play. Same goes for any of the other animals too. So, with a shovel bigger than he was, Godson rolled up his sleeves and did his share of "poop pushing". And he did a pretty good job, too!

The other thing about our first trip that stood out was his amazement at clothes lines-- Definitely not something we see in our Southern California community. I've been reminded of this because there have been lots of great photos with clothes pins in them around blogland lately.

Across the street from my folk's house is the side yard of their neighbor on the corner. This neighbor has a long clothes line strung from their back door, across the yard, and attached to their yellow garage. Most sunny summer days you'll see bed linens and towels clipped to the line. In the middle is a big red pole that keeps the line from sagging and the laundry for drooping onto the grass.

That first summer home, each time Godson would walk out my folks front door, he'd stop and ponder the clothes line. With his hands on his hips, his head cocked slightly to the right, he'd let out a thoughtful "hmmm" then move on down the walkway looking over his shoulder as he went.

After about three days, Godson called his mom and said, "Mama, people in Ohio have so much time they can wait around for the sun to dry their towels!" I could hear her laughing through the cell phone as she explained the clothes line is how she would dry their clothes too if they had a big enough yard... And the LA air was cleaner.

We'll be heading to Ohio this week for a family visit. We're especially excited to meet my new great-niece, my folk's new dog and to see all the family. There's a community "ice cream social", cheering on a cancer "Relay for Life" event that my nieces are participating in, river walking, a campfire with s'more, and a whole lot of laughing and quality family time in our future.

And yes, there will be more discussion about the clothes line too.... Only this time it will focus on the tiny clothes belonging to six week old Little Miss.

Our suitcases are packed with presents and treats and fun stuff to do. But the one thing I'm not packing is my laptop-- This will be a "real" vacation. So have a great week one and all while we're hanging out watching the sun dry clothes.

Sounds like a really fun vacation. We don't have a vacation planned for the summer, but we are planning a few special things, like we have tickets to a dinner club to see Paula Poundstone perform, a bbq with my high school classmates, some family get togethers with the kids and grandkids, and in September we will be going to Philadelphia where I plan to attend bloggy boot camp sponsored by SITS.

I grew up with a clothesline. It was part of our playtime adventures. Remember running through a hanging sheet?We are not allowed to have clothesline here. Communities have decided they are unsightly. They do save energy.Have a great trip!

That baby is absolutely adorable!!! Now, about the first photo; we know who the young man is, but who is that kitty kat?? I hope you all have a fantastic time and that the weather cooperates every day for you!!! ENJOY!!!

My summer plans were all stifled by these stinkin' shingles that won't go away. What can I say...over two months and they still love me.

I just wanted to drop in and see what you've been up to my friend. Quite the adventure for Godson, he's such a cutie. I loved the comment about the clothesline. What an adorable babe that Little Miss is....I just want to give her a good squeeze and sniff her fresh baby head!

Enjoy your trip filled with friends, family and Godson. God bless ya and have a safe trip.

Loved your story. I have hung my share of clothes on the line.. Ex husband was military and in the winter I had to bring in his frozen fatigues and stand them on the floor furnace to thraw out so we could iron them.

I remember how much I loved to play between the clothes hanging on the clothesline when I was a kid. I didn't much like hanging them up, but taking them down was better. Have a fun and restful trip, Joanna.

My mom used to use a clothes line all the time. I have so many big trees and my back yard is so shaded, that a clothes line would be pretty futile, but it brings back nice memories. Clothes dried outdoors have a special, very pleasant smell.

Oh how I miss those summer days: Clothes line with sheets and Pa-paws overalls creating a backdrop next to the picnic table with watermelon seeds laying randomly as we cooled in the shade a Crepe Myrtle sipping iced tea.

I dry my clothes on the line every week. I don´t even have a dryer. But then again, we have sunshine about 50 weeks of the year....I´m so glad your Godson gets to experience country life, while growing up. I´m sure it will make him a better person. You are an awesome Godmother JJ! :)

We have a clothes line and don't use it much, but I do like to hang sheets and towels on it to dry. Hubby and I got such a kick out of Godson's enthusiasm for all the time people in Ohio have. Have a wonderful time in Ohio, dear friend, and I look forward to hearing all the news and seeing pictures when you get back. Take care of yourself. Hugs.

Joanna, have a wonderful time. That baby is such a precious little sweetheart.

I won't be going anywhere this summer...poverty status, now seventeen months since the job loss. Normally, I would be doing four cruises a year and, while I did do a four day cruise out of Miami in March, that was only because a crew friend brought me on as "friends and family." I really miss sailing - and I don't know when, or if, I ever will be able to do that again.

Ah, I remember the days of clothes lines. My mother had one that went out a high window and attached to the garage so she didn't even have to go outside. I'm too lazy...That is one Gorgeous baby! Good for you for leaving the laptop home. Enjoy your vacation!

I am a clothesline lover! Have a wonderful trip and spoil the new baby rotten. Godson is so lucky he is getting to see the best of both worlds. I am sure most city kids wouldnt know much about farms at all. Relax and have fun.

We miss out on so much being in the city. I choose to have a clothes line rather than one of those things which go round and round in the garden; yes I can’t remember the name. I hope there are many more wonderful things for your godson to ponder on. Enjoy your holiday eh vacation

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